First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh ready for another go, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has officially withdrawn from the 2026 LIV Golf season, starting February 7 in Riyadh. The five-time major winner remains connected to the rival circuit but needs more family time, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s friendly statement. Koepka, a competitive type who thrives in top-level contests, had limited motivation at LIV. He switched to the Saudi-based league in 2022 due to injury and to secure retirement funds, so skipping the last contractual season is understandable, though questions remain about buyouts or salary returns. He still owns his LIV team Smash GC, with Talor Gooch as new captain.
Speculation grows about which tours Koepka might join next: the DP World Tour, where he could play immediately, possibly with penalties, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension from his last LIV event, after former Commissioner Jay Monahan reduced life bans significantly. Why be vindictive when every LIV returnee benefits the stronger tour? ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach reports Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which lapsed after 2022.
An eventual suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, when the PGA Tour introduces a new schedule with about two dozen $20-million tournaments featuring limited, elite fields—the perfect comeback scenario for Koepka. PGA Tour Enterprises investors would welcome another star name.
Jon Rahm recently told the \”Subpar\” podcast that Koepka might need some time but is expected to return to the PGA Tour, probably playing his selected major tournaments. With oversight by Tiger Woods’ competition committee and Rory McIlroy’s support, Koepka’s return may be eased.
Update: It happened as anticipated. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He’s also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This is enabled by the \”Returning Member Program,\” a new Thursday regulation allowing selected LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s achievements, notably the 2023 PGA Championship as his fifth major, were key considerations.
The PGA Tour states this rule covers major champions and Players winners of the past three years, expiring February 2. CEO Brian Rolapp says, \”This is a one-time, clearly defined opportunity and doesn’t set a precedent for future cases. Once this door closes, no guarantee this path will reopen.\” This could influence Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith, unsettling the LIV Golf League.
Koepka’s penalty for switching to LIV is mild: a $5 million charity donation to the PGA Tour, exclusion from the FedEx Cup bonus in 2026, and five-year exclusion